The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) announced that TACA and Copa Airlines, two of Latin America's leading air carriers, have joined the association as its newest sponsors in the region. TACA and Copa are both sponsors of the ACTE Central America Education Event in San Juan de Costa Rica, 9 April. One hundred attendees are expected at the event, with 37 percent corporate buyers already registered.

"Strategic alliances, such as those with TACA and Copa, reinforce our commitment to and support of the burgeoning Latin American corporate travel industry," Susan Gurley, ACTE Executive Director, said. "ACTE is pleased to be an active partner in the development of this key global region through educational programs which include the trends, opportunities and challenges the industry can expect to see emerging in the Latin American region."

"It is important for TACA to participate in and support ACTE educational events in Latin America because they allow us to present our products and their benefits directly to corporate clients and receive beneficial feedback," Carolina Trejos, TACA Regional Sales Manager, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, said. "We can better understand their preferences, which is invaluable to our company."

"Holding educational events in the Central American region for corporations, TMCs and suppliers is mutually beneficial for ACTE and Latin America in developing clear strategies and creating joint opportunities for the business travel industry," commented Adolfo Sen, International Sales Director, Copa Airlines. "Today, this industry demands the implementation and constant exchange of information and dialogue in order to maximize its resources and reduce unnecessary costs."

In 2008, ACTE will host a series of educational events throughout the Latin American region:  Costa Rica, Bogota, Mexico City, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Guadalajara.

In North America, the ACTE Global Education Conference in Washington, D.C. will take place 18-20 May, and will feature a line-up of international keynote presenters: world renowned economist Dr. Kjell Nordstrom; Ambassador John Bruton, European Union Commission Head of Delegation; Marion C. Blakey, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); David Sanger, White House Correspondent, The New York Times, and Amber MacArthur, Canadian tech journalist and social networking expert.